Alternative Medicine in Switzerland - Prevalence and Patterns of Use

Author(s): Bürgi, M., Theiss, R.

Abstract: Many people in the industrialized countries use alternative therapies. We conducted a randomized survey to determine the extent and patterns of use of these therapies in Switzerland. We completed Telephone interviews with 2,307 persons with a common health insurance and with 1,305 persons who have in addition to their conventional health insurance a co-insurance covering the costs for a wide range of alternative therapies.In Switzerland, 4 of 10 adults reported having used at least one alternative therapy in the past year, and 25% consulted a therapeutic person for these methods (medical doctors, natural healers, other therapeutic persons). The frequency of use of alternative medicine varied somewhat in sociodemographic groups, with the highest use among women and persons with higher education. Self-care plays an important role in the area of alternative medicine (one third of the users). About half of these users applied these methods without existing health problems. The health problems correlated with the use of alternative therapies are chronic medical conditions. Among those who used alternative therapies for any medical conditions, two thirds are also treated with conventional medicine by a medical doctor

Keyword(s): Alternative Heilmethoden in der Schweiz

Zurück | Weiter